A digital platform developed by GP and NHS clinical entrepreneur Dr Julian Nesbitt is helping power Scotland’s first national walk-in mental health hubs.
The Nook, launched by SAMH, or Scottish Action for Mental Health, is using the Dr Julian platform at its Aberdeen and Glasgow hubs, with further locations due to follow next year.
The service supports young people, adults and families seven days a week without waiting lists, NHS referrals or appointments. People can walk into a hub whenever they need support.
The platform has already supported the delivery of more than 1m therapy sessions across NHS, independent and community mental health services.
Dr Nesbitt said the partnership showed how technology could help change community mental health services and remove barriers to care.
He said: “Too often, people struggle to access mental health support due to long waits and complex referral pathways. The Nook is changing that with a simple, community-based model where people can access compassionate support when they need it.
“We’re proud to support SAMH with technology that supports more accessible, personalised and continuous support across Scotland.”
Behind the scenes, the platform helps SAMH deliver and expand the model through a connected system intended to improve access, simplify care pathways and provide support beyond face-to-face appointments.
It acts as a digital entry point to The Nook, allowing people to access support, book appointments if they prefer not to drop in and receive personalised guidance through secure online dashboards.
People can also use tailored wellbeing tools, self-help resources, psychoeducation materials and personalised support plans before and after attending in-person sessions.
Psychoeducation involves providing information to help people understand and manage mental health conditions or emotional difficulties.
A key part of the model is ensuring people receive the right level of support for their individual needs.
The platform also helps SAMH manage appointments, staff capacity and access across different locations, while providing information about how people engage with its services.
The partnership reflects a wider shift towards hybrid care, where digital technology works alongside community services to improve access and extend support beyond physical appointments.
With demand for mental health services continuing to rise across Scotland, SAMH believes models such as The Nook could remove barriers to care while reducing pressure on traditional healthcare pathways.
Ciaran Barbour, head of digital and information systems at SAMH, said: “We needed a platform that could support public access to services while remaining simple and accessible for people who may be digitally excluded or less confident using technology.
“The Dr Julian team worked closely with us to adapt the platform around our vision for The Nook, helping us create a service that is adaptable to meet local need but can be rolled out to future Nooks across the country.”
